Multiple action solenoid apparatus



June 6, 1961 D. L. M CURDY 2,987,655

MULTIPLE ACTION SOLENOID APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1957 I 20 4 i4; 72 l@ M9 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,987,655 MULTIPLE ACTION SOLENOID APPARATUS Donald L. McCurdy, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Jervis Corporation, Grandville, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 10, 1957, Ser. No. 689,325 9 Claims. (Cl. 317-190) This invention relates to improved solenoid apparatus and more particularly to improved solenoid apparatus capable of bidirectional and multipositional operation with improved electrical and mechanical features.

The structure of the instant invention may be used in many applications although it is principally described in the detailed disclosure which follows for use with an arming mechanism of the type conventionally employed with ordnance stores. The device herein described includes a movable armature which may be selectively positioned in any one of three discrete locations for purposes which will hereinafter become clear. This is accomplished with a single integrated unit of simplified mechanical construction and electrical characteristics, whereas heretofore it has been necessary to employ separate magnetic devices with complex mechanical linkages or the like.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide improved solenoid apparatus having bidirectional operation and multiple positions of actuation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a single integrated solenoid unit having a central stable position and oppositely disposed actuated positions.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved multiple action solenoid having an eflicient magnetic structure and low reluctance magnetic flux paths while maintaining simplicity in design and construction.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved multiple action solenoid utilizing unique cooperation between a plurality of actuating coils and resilient means to provide a multiple number of stable and semistable armature locations.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become manifest from a consideration of this description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention a multiple action solenoid is provided having two actuating coils, a movable armature and a completely sealed housing containing said coils, said armature and associated pole pieces, and terminal assemblies.

More particuarly, a multiple action solenoid of the type described above is disclosed herein for use with an arming mechanism having an armed position, an unarmed position and a release position wherein the solenoid mechanism herein described may selectively condition the arming mechanism in accordance with the requirements of a particular tactical situation.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of this invention associated with an arming device, the sectional view of the solenoid apparatus being taken on the line 11' of FIG. 3, and the sectional view.

of the arming device being taken on the line 1-1 thereof;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the coil assembly and magnetic structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a multiple action solenoid assembly is illustrated in association with an arming device 12. The solenoid 10 has a movable armature 14 (shown in its 2,987,655 Patented June 6, 1961 uppermost, actuated position) which carries an operating rod 16 preferably composed of brass or some nonmagnetic material. The rod 16 has an operator 18 secured thereto in any appropriate manner. In the described embodiment operator 18 is secured to rod 16 by transverse pin 20. Operator 18 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4 and includes a stud 72 and spaced cam members 38 and 40.

The arming device 12 includes a pair of arms 22 and 24 pivotally mounted on transverse pins 26 and 28. At the lower ends of arms 22 and 24, studs 30 and 32 are fixed in such a manner that when the solenoid is de-energized the adjacent faces of studs 30 and 32 will be in close spaced relationship. In this condition, an arming wire 34 will be supported above the studs 30 and 32 in a manner already described in detail in copending application Serial No. 634,476, assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. The arms 22 and 24 are urged to positions wherein the studs 30 and 32 are in close proximity by a compressed coil spring 36. The studs are maintained in slightly spaced relationhip by the contact of upper portions 46 and 48 of arms 22 and 24 with the inside diameter of the lower flange 77 of core 66.

Above the coil spring 36 the arms 22 and 24 have shaped portions 42 and 44 which may receive the upper stud portion 72 of operator 18 when the device is in the locked or armed position.

The enitre arming mechanism described in some detail above is disposed in a cylindrical housing having a lower flange 52 apertured and countersunk to receive mounting bolts and having threaded upper and lower inner periphery. The lower periphery receives a correspondingly threaded locking disc 54 which clamps an apertured flexible seal 56 in place. The upper threaded portion of housing 50 receives a correspondingly threaded portion of the solenoid apparatus 10 forming a principal part of the described invention.

The solenoid assembly 10 includes an upper coil 58 and a lower coil 60 mounted in aligned coaxial relationship with the armature 14 movable through the central opening therein. Between the coils 58 and 60 an annular magnetic core portion 62 is disposed. End cores 64 and 66 are positioned at opposite ends of the coil assembly. The lower core 66 has a central aperture through which rod 16 passes and has a threaded downwardly extending flange 74 which engages housing 50 of arming device 12. An 0 ring 68 forms a seal between the housing 50 and lower core 66.

A coil spring 70 is compressed in a recess formed in the central portion of lower core 66 and normally urges armature 14 upwardly toward the upper core 64. The upward movement of armature 14 is limited by the engagement of cams 38 and 40 in the arming unit with the shaped upper portions 46 and 48 of arms 22 and 24. The coil spring 36 is somewhat more rigid than coil spring 70 whereby the action of the latter spring is insufiicient to compress spring 36 and thus shift arms 22 and 24. However, upon energization of upper coil 58, armature 14 is drawn upwardly, compressing spring 36 and forcing arms 22 and 24 to rotate. Thus supporting studs 30 and 32 are separated, releasing arming Wire 34.

Such release might be desired in the described applica-v tion of the multiple action solenoid where an associated missile has been discharged and the arming Wire might cause damage to an aircraft or the like if retained in place.

Upon energization of lower coil 60, armature 14 is drawn downwardly into substantially aligned relationship therewith. In the latter position the armature 14 shifts rod 16 and operator 18 against the force of spring 70 to position the stud portion 72 of the operator between shaped portions 42 and 44 of the arms 22 and 24. In

aesresa this position the arms are locked against relative movement and the arming wire 34 is positively retained between studs 30 and 32. Thus, if an associated missile is deployed from the supporting aircraft, the arming wire will be retained in the aircraft and the missile thereby armed for subsequent detonation. When the armature 14 is in the central position as described above, the arming wire 34 is maintained between the studs 38 and 32 only by the force of coil spring 36 and in the event that the associated missile is deployed the arming wire will be withdrawn from its position and fall with the missile without arming the missile for detonation.

The details of the solenoid assembly construction are best illustrated in FIG. 2. The lower core 66 is illustrated with a threaded flange 74 and an upwardly extending central cylindrical portion 76. Disposed on cylindrical portion 76 is a coil form or bobbin 7 8 having end flanges or bells 80 and 82. A coil of wire insulated either by shellac or other plastic coatings or a fabric cover is wound upon coil form 78 in a conventional manner with one terminating end of the coil appearing at the lower end bell 82 and the other terminating portion appearing at the upper end bell 80.

The lower end bell 82 is provided with a radial slot 84 through which the terminating wire of the coil passes. This is illustrated in FIG. 1, where the terminating wire 86 is shown passing through radial slot 84 and upwardly adjacent the outer periphery of coil 68. Lower end bell 82 also has a peripheral notch 114 which forms no particular function but enables interchangeable use of the upper and lower insulating coil forms. Upper bell 80 is formed with a longitudinal trough 88 which passes terminating wire 86 therethrough. The upper bell 80 is formed with a second trough 90 which passes the upper terminating wire 92 of the lower coil 60, as shown best in FIG. 1. While the troughs 88 and 91 are disposed at right angles in the illustration of FIG. 2, they have for convenience been illustrated in a single plane in the sectional drawing of FIG. 1. It will be obvious that the precise location of these passageways is a matter of design and will be selected in accordance with the remaining physical features of the structure.

The central magnetic core 62 has a cylindrical portion 94 which extends downwardly into coil form 78. The central core 62 improves the magnetic efficiency of the subject assembly by providing an efl'icient flux path for flux of either coil 58 or 60. The peripheral portion of core 62 is provided with longitudinal recesses 96 and 98 and aperture 108 to provide space for the upwardly extending troughs 88 and 9t) and an upwardly extending tube 102 which may carry a terminal conductor of lower winding 60 if desired. A brass sleeve 164 is disposed within central core 62 and an upper coil form 106. Brass sleeve 104 magnetically isolates armature 14 from the central core portion 62 by providing a fixed gap therebetween and a bearing surface to insure eliicient and easy movement of the armature 14.

Upper coil form 106 is identical with lower form 78 and has upper end bell 108 and lower end bell 110 constructed in the same manner as already described. Lower 58 and has a cylindrical portion 122 which extends into the center of coil form 106. Upper core 64 is provided with recesses 124 and 126 and apenture 128 to provide passageways for troughs 116 and 118 and tube 120.

As will be clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, an insulating disc 136 is placed above upper core' 64 and three terminal posts 132 disposed thereon. The terminal posts 132 are maintained in spaced upright relationship by a second insulated spacer 134 having three apertures 136 therein to receive terminal posts 132. Insulating discs 4 and 134 are provided with a linear radial slot 138 and a small peripheral recess 140 to freely pass therethrough the terminal wires from the two coils.

In the described embodiment the lower terminal wire 86 is connected to the lower terminal wire 142 of the upper coil 58 and these are in turn connected to terminal post 132a. The upper terminal wire 92 of lower coil 60 extends upwardly through troughs 90 and 118 and is connected to terminal post 1322:. The upper terminal wire 144 of upper winding 58 terminates at the third terminal post, which is not shown in the drawings but is disposed in the supporting aperture 136a.

The entire housing 146 may be filled with a potting compound 148, such as a casting resin, sealing wax or the like whereby a sealed unit is formed which is completely isolated from atmospheric conditions and adverse eilects therefrom. ,The housing 146 is further mechanically secured and locked in place about the lower core 66 by formed depressions 149. The housing 146 is preferably formed of magnetic material to further enhance the over-all magnetic efiiciency of the apparatus.

The upper core 64 and lower core 66 are formed with conic recesses adapted to receive the conic ends of armature 14 whereby improved operation and magnetic efiiciency attained. The cores 64 and 66 further provided with small annular shoulders 15d and 152, the annular shoulders 150 and 152 having a generally triangular and pointed cross section whereby the outer edge thereof will be forced through the relatively pliable coil forms 78 and 106 to form an intimate seal therewith and prevent seepage of the potting compound 148 into the central opening in which the armature 14 must move. A similar shoulder may-be formed, if desired, on the central core 62 and on brass sleeve 104.

While the structure has been described in extensive detail for use with an arming device wherein the coils 58 and 60 will be independently and selectively energized, it will be apparent that many variations may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

For example, it will be manifest that, if desired, both coils 58 and 60 may be simultaneously energized with signals of varying magnitude whereby the device will function as a diiferential. Motion of armature 14 will thus reflect the difference between the magnetic force of coil 58 and the corresponding force of coil 60.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim: a

1. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils beingformed on a nonmagnetic form having a centralcylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges,

said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passage-,

ways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, and yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coilmeans, the effective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means,

said second coil means providing force suflicient to over-:.

come the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means.

2. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, and yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the effective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, said second coil means providing force sufficient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufficient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means.

3. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the effective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, and a sealing material substantially filling the remainder of said housing, said second coil means providing force sufficient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means.

4. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, said pole pieces being provided with an annular shoulder in engagement with the associated coil forms to form a seal therebetween, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the effective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, and a sealing material substantially filling the remainder of said housing, said second coil means providing force sufficient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means.

5. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the effective stifiness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, and a sealing material substantially filling the remainder of said housing, said second coil means providing force sufficient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means, said pole pieces being provided with an annular shoulder having a tapered cross section and a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said central opening whereby said shoulder is in sealing engagement with the associated coil forms.

6. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the effective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, a sealing material substantially filling the remainder of said housing, said second coil means providing force sufficient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means, said pole pieces being provided with an annular shoulder having a tapered cross section and a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said central opening whereby said shoulder is in seahng engagement with the associated coil forms, and terminal posts embedded in said material and extending from said housing, said terminal portions of said coils being connected to said terminal posts.

7. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said hous- '1 ing arid defining a central cylindrical opening, each of said coils being formed on a nonmagnetic form having a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central opening, said pole pieces each having a portion extending into said central opening in sealing relationship with the central cylindrical portion of the adjacent nonmagnetic coil form, nonmagnetic sleeve means disposed in said central opening between said pole pieces and defining an armature path, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, yieldable means maintaining said armature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the efiective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, a sealing material substantially filling the remainder of said housing, said second coil means providing force suflicient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufiicient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means, said pole pieces being provided with an annular shoulder having a tapered cross section and a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said central opening whereby said shoulder is in sealing engagement with the associated coil forms, and termi nal posts embedded in said material and extending from said housing, said terminal portions of said coils being connected to said terminal posts.

8. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing, first and second electromagnetic coils disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship within said housing and defining a central cylindrical opening, a form supporting each of said coils, each of said coils being wound on its respective form which has a central cylindrical portion and cooperating end flanges, said end flanges formed to provide cooperating passageways for the terminal portions of said coils, substantially cylindrical armature means movable in said central cylindrical opening, operator means extending from said armature and carried thereby, resilient means urging said armature means toward a position adjacent said first coil means, and yieldable means maintaining saidarmature means intermediate said first and second coil means, the efiective stiffness of said yieldable means being substantially greater than that of said resilient means, said second coil means providing force suflicient to overcome the force of said resilient means, and said first coil means providing sufficient force to overcome the force of said yieldable means.

9. Electromagnetic apparatus comprising a housing of magnetic material; non-magnetic coil forms within said housing in spool form having radially extending end flanges and defining a central cylindrical opening therethrough, said flanges being apertured in a mating and nesting manner one with the next adjacent; electromagnetic coil means disposed on said forms and having leads disposed through said apertures in said flanges of said forms;

a substantially cylindrical armature within said central opening defined by said spool forms and movable axially therein; flanged pole pieces of magnetic material disposed in the ends of said housing and defining the ends of said central cylindrical opening, said pole pieces extending to shoulder against said spool forms in sealing engagement therewith, one of said pole pieces provided with an opening therethrough in axial register with said central cylindrical opening and the other of said pole pieces being apertured for mating and nesting relationship with the apertures in the flange of one of said spool forms; electri-- cal leads through said apertured flange of said spool forms and through said apertured pole piece; and a sealing material encapsulating said leads and filling the remainder of said housing while prevented from intruding said cylindrical armature opening by said pole piece and said flanged spool forms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 818,589 Wegner Apr. 24, 1906 2,417,438 OBrien et al Mar. 18, 1947 2,450,924 Stilwell Oct. 12, 1948 2,659,074 Alexander et a1 Nov, 10, 1953 2,876,370 Pleuger et al. Mar. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 317,673 Switzerland Ian. 15, 1957 

